For a lot of couples, a huge factor in deciding to elope is that you want a more intimate, less “center of attention” experience. But, you might also want to celebrate with the people you love. The good news is that elopements are so incredibly customizable, and you can have both! Planning an elopement reception is the perfect way to celebrate tying the knot, and it can allow you to include the people you love too. This guide will tell you how to plan an elopement reception, with some tips and ideas for things to do!

What is an Elopement Reception?

First things first – what is an elopement reception?

The truth is, it can be anything you want it to be! Call it a reception, a post elopement party, or even a chill barbeque brunch. Just like the elopement itself, the reception is very customizable, and all about what feels right for you.

When Should You Have Your Elopement Reception?

Some couples have a reception on the same day as the ceremony, while others wait weeks, even months for the celebration. It completely depends on what you want to do. If you want your reception to be laid back and more chill, with just a few people, spending the evening of your elopement eating dinner and cake can be perfect! But if you want to plan something a little bigger, it might feel better to you to wait a little and plan a separate event. This can also give you some time to relax after the elopement, and can be less stressful if you want more time to plan!

Inviting Guests to Your Elopement Reception

Who should you invite to your elopement reception? The answer is pretty simple – anyone you want to celebrate with! Some couples elope with family, then have a friends-only reception. Others elope just the two of them, then celebrate with all of their loved ones. You can even have multiple receptions, if that feels right! 

Where to Have Your Elopement Reception

One of the first steps in planning the elopement reception is going to be deciding where to host it! This will depend on your guest list, so it helps to have at least a rough idea of how many people you want to invite before diving into planning. Here are a few ideas for where to plan your post elopement party!

A Traditional Reception Venue

First, you can definitely have a reception in a more traditional venue! Many wedding venues can be booked for just a reception, and this is a great option if you want more space for a dance floor, cake cutting, and all that a venue will be set up with.

Some other options popular for weddings include renting out a designated event room in a restaurant, or in a hotel or lodge. 

An Airbnb

An amazing option for a smaller elopement reception can be renting an Airbnb! You can find one that’s the right size for your party, and have a chill evening with dinner, toasts, cake, and whatever way you want to celebrate. Whether it’s a cute cabin or a big rental house, you can find the perfect place for you and your loved ones.

A Park or Outdoor Space

If you want an outdoor reception, you can rent out a pavilion in a park, or even get creative and have a reception at a campground or on the beach. Permits and reservations may be required (and are definitely a good idea for bigger events), depending on the location, but this can be a great way to celebrate in nature!

Ideas for Your Elopement Reception

Here are a few ideas for things to do during the elopement reception, and ways to celebrate!

Re-Read Your Vows

You got to do a private vow reading during the ceremony, and some couples like to read them again at the reception! This can be a nice way to share the moment with your loved ones, while still keeping the original vow reading sacred. I highly recommend getting vow books – these give you a place to keep your vows after the day (they’re less likely to get lost than a piece of paper would be), and they look great in photos!

Dinner and Toasts

Food is part of any good event, so get dinner catered and share a meal with your friends and family! At a traditional wedding, toasts happen after dinner is served, and you can definitely incorporate this into your elopement reception. It can be nice to give your loved ones an opportunity to say something about you, and to share some memories and advice for the two of you!

Campfire and S’mores

If you want to celebrate, but still want to keep it intimate, instead of a big party, you might choose to just spend an evening with a few loved ones! There are plenty of ways to do this, and one idea is to end the day with a campfire, make some s’mores, and enjoy the stars. You could even get a speaker and have your first dance around the fire!

Celebratory Picnic

Another example of a low-key way to celebrate is with a picnic or barbecue. Gather your loved ones for a casual celebration, and have fun!

Cake Cutting

Eloping doesn’t mean you have to miss out on dessert! Wherever your reception is, you can have cake (or cupcakes, or donuts, or whatever celebratory sweet you want) and share it with your friends and family. Getting a custom cake can make it feel a little more special!

Re-Wear Your Elopement Attire

One of the best things about planning an elopement reception is that you get an opportunity to wear your wedding attire again. Don’t let that gorgeous dress or suit only be worn once – break it out for the reception too!

Dancing

Dancing is a staple for most wedding receptions, and if you want to bust out the moves, you can set up a dance floor at your elopement reception! This can be a really fun way to celebrate, and you can incorporate other traditions, like parent dances or even a bouquet toss too.

Book a Photographer for Your Elopement Reception

As a photographer, my job is to remind you of how each moment felt. The reception is a big part of the elopement experience, and it deserves to be documented too – this time spent celebrating with your loved ones is special! You’ll love being able to look back at photos and remembering how the people you love most came together to celebrate your love, without the posed shots and forced smiles. If you’re planning an elopement reception, contact me!